Matthew McConaughey's 'Free State of Jones' Goes Up Against 'Independence Day: Resurgence'

The period Civil War drama is pushing back its release date to take advantage of the July Fourth holiday corridor.

Gary Ross' Civil War drama The Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey, is pushing back its release in theaters from May 13 to June 24.

In its new home, Free State of Jones will be able to take advantage of the July Fourth holiday corridor, according to SXT Entertainment. It also gets out of the way of Captain America: Civil War, which debuts May 6. Conversely, it now will open directly opposite Independence Day: Insurgence.

STX believes Free State of Jones will be a strong draw for adult filmgoers and serve as counterprogramming to popcorn tentpoles.

In Free State of Jones, McConaughey plays a soldier for the Confederacy during the Civil War who becomes disillusioned with the South's cause, flees the battlefield and defiantly declares a safe haven in Jones County, Miss., after marrying a former slave.

Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mahershala Ali (House of Cards) also star in Ross' film. Free State of Jones is produced by Scott Stuber, Jon Kilik (The Hunger Games) and Ross. STX co-financed the film with IM Global.

IM Global will release internationally, with Route One Entertainment and Union Investment Partners also on board as co-financiers.